Bottle-capping machine



Jan. 19,1928. 1,655,848

H. R. SXEVERKROPP BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Got. 11. 1926 Hcn r R. Sieve/l1 1 Patented Jan. 10,1928.

UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BOTTLE-CAPPING MACHINE.

Application filed October 11, 1926. Serial No. 140,846.

This invention relates to bottle capping machines.

In bottle capping machines, as heretofore constructed, diiliculty has been experienced, due to the fact that the head did not always travel down evenly on both sides, but some times acquired a tilt, due to lost motion in the mechanism and improper bracing and functioning of the parts. This obviously frequently resulted in cracking the neck of the bottle and also in making a defective seal. In addition to this the capping machines were usually adapted for one size of bottle, or at best were difiicultly adjusted.

This invention is designed to overcome the defects noted above. and objects of such invention are to provide a novel form of capping machine, in which the capping head is uniformly moved on all sides so that tilting can not occur, but instead in which the head travels directly downwardly along a predetermined axis, such head having a downward force applied to the carrying cross head on both sides of the cross head.

. Further objects are to provide a capping machine which may be instantly adjusted to take any height of bottle, and in which means are provided for holding the capping head in elevated position at any desired height.

Further objects are to provide a. very simple form of construction. which is extremely strong and sturdy and not likely to get out of order, and which be cheaply produced by ordinary machine shop methods.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in. the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device.

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof, with parts broken away for clearness.

Figure 3 is a side elevation thereof, with parts broken away.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the capping machine comprises a base 1 of material extent which may rest upon a suitable support, such as a table top for instance. This base is preferably formed of sheet metal and has triangular upwardly turned sides 2 as most clearly shown in Figure 3. These sides have upstanding rack bars or uprights 3 bolted thereto, as indicated. These bars have rack teeth or gear teeth 4 formed in their upper portions and are of substantially uniform width throughout their length.

A movable cross head 5 is adapted to travel. up and down upon the uprights or rack bars and comprises a body portion which is equipped with bearings adapted to carry a transverse shaft 6. Further, this cross head is provided with guides 7 at opposite ends which surround the uprights and which are joined at their rear by means of a rear. plate 8, as shown in Figure 1. It is to be noted that the shaft 6 is provided with gears 8 cut in its ends. These gears are easily formed by milling out a portion of the shaft. The shaft is also provided with a central groove 9 and with an operating crank 10 provided with a manipulating handle 11. The gears 8' mesh with the rack teeth 4. and thus raise or lower the cross head 5. In order to hold the device at any desired height a pressure block 12 is provided and is pressed inwardly by means of a spring 13 (see Figure 1) towards the shaft 6. This block is provided with a rounded tongue 14 which fits within the slot 9 and frictionally holds the shaft 6 againstrotation so that the cross head may be held in any desired elevated position.

The cross head 5 rigidly carries the capping head or capper 15 which operates in the usual manner to force and crimp a cap upon the bottle.

In using the device it is a simple matter to rotate the crank and thus position the cross head at the desired elevation. Thereafter a bottle is placed uponthe base 1 and a cap is positioned within the head 15 in the usual manner. The crank is given approximately a one-quarter turn and forces the capper downwardly.

This operation may be very rapidly repeated with the utmost ease. In addition to the ease with which the device may be operated for capping a series of bottles, it is apparent that it may be instantly adjusted to the exact height needed for bottles of varying heights, it being merely necessary to rotate the crank one or more turns as needed.

It will be seen further that an even down ward travel of all parts of the cross head is assured and that there can be no tilting of the capping head or capper, but that this portion of the device will travel downwardly and maintain its exact alinement at all times.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting as the invention may be variously embodied and as the scope of such invention is to be determined as claimed I claim A capping machine comprising a base, a pair of parallel uprights extending therefrom and provided with rack teeth, a cross head guided by said uprights and having bearings formed therein, a transverse shaft carried by said bearings and having a central groove and gears at opposite ends meshblock into contact with said shaft, and a capper carried by said cross head.

In testimony that'Iclaim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee,

in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin.

HENRY R, SIEVERKROPP. 

